Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed the Washington Independent Glass Association’s anti-steering bill into law on April 18.

The new law requires that a third-party administrator (TPA) inform customers that they have the right to choose a retail glass shop. It also mandates that call center representatives tell customers that the TPA is a separate entity from their insurer with an arrangement to process automobile glass claims on the insurance company’s behalf. In addition, under the new law, any glass retailer owned by an insurer or TPA will have to inform the consumer of that relationship through a written notice posted at the
facility.

Tom Grim, general manager of All Star Auto Glass, led the charge for passage of the bill. Despite some disappointment that the final bill was revised from the original (which would not have allowed a company to serve as both a TPA and an auto glass retailer), Grim says he’s still
pleased.

“A lot of people worked on it, and for … everyone who worked on it … yes, it’s definitely a nice feeling to get it passed,” Grim
says. http://access.wa.gov